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PATENTED JAN. 26, 1904.

i No. 750,388. I J. B. OHIGGINS. i COMB FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS TO THESCALP.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 19, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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PATENT OFFICE.

COMB FOR APPLYING LIQUID TO THE SCALP.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 750,388, dated January26, 1904.

Application filed January 19, 1903. Serial No. 139,649. (No model.)

To all whom it Wtwy concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. OHIooINs, of the city of New York, in theState of New York, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements inMeans for Applying Liquid Preparations to the Scalp, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of my invention is to devise means for applying oils,lotions, and the like to the scalp without filling the hair with thepreparation or dirtying the hands; and it consists, essentially, of acomb with hollow teeth and back adapted to be connected with the neck ofa bottle, so that the latter becomes a reservoir from which thepreparation may flow through the comb and out through apertures in thepoints of the teeth to the scalp.

My invention further consists in the means employed for closing theapertures in the points of the teeth when the latter are not pressedinto contact with the scalp, all substantially as hereinafter morespecifically described and then definitely claimed.

Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of the device. Fig. 2 is across-section of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through one of theteeth near its base. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of one-half of thecomb.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding partsin the different figures.

A represents a bottle, preferably provided with a screw-neck. Thisbottle contains a liquid preparation to be applied to the scalp.

B is a hollow comb comprising the body C and the teeth D. The comb ispreferably formed in halves soldered or brazedtogether along the centrallongitudinal plane. 'Thus each part comprises one-half the body andone-half of each tooth. At the end of each half of the body is formedone-half of the screw-collar E, which is adapted to be screwed upon theneck of the bottle A, as shown in Fig. 1. The teethD, it will be seen,are tapered, and the apertures through their points are closed bytapered plugs F, which normally project slightly beyond the points ofthe teeth, as shown in Fig. 1. Each plug has connected thereto or isformed on a stem G, which passes up through the tooth, is bent around,and then secured to the body close to the opening of the screw-collar E.As these stems are designed to be placed in position after the halves ofthe comb have been secured together, it is necessary that the body ofthe comb possess suflicient depth to allow of their being passed throughit and sprung into their respective teeth. It is also advisable thatthey be connected to the body close to the only opening therein tofacilitate the securing of them in position. These stems possesssufficient spring to maintain the plugs F projected, as shown, and atthe same time will permit the latter to be pressed up by contact withthe scalp to allow liquid to flow from the hollow teeth. The ends of theteeth and the ends of the plugs are preferably rounded, as shown, toprevent them injuring the scalp.

The method of using my apparatus is substantially as follows: The bottleis uncorked and the comb screwed on to its neck, as shown. The bottlethen serves as a handle, and the teeth of the comb are drawn through thehair with their points in contact with the scalp. As long as theirpoints are maintained in contact with the scalp liquid will flow throughthem, but as soon as the teeth are raised from the scalp the plugsF areforced out to close the apertures. Thus the preparation does not getonto the surface of the hair and is applied to the scalp just where itis wanted.

When my device is used, it is not necessary to get the hands dirtiedwith the preparation, which is one great obstacle to the general use ofpreparations for the scalp. As the bottle becomes part of theapparatus,there is no need to make the comb itself large enough to actas a reservoir, and thus it may be made comparatively small and cheap.By making the comb attachable to the bottle all trouble in filling andemptying the comb is avoided. When one bottle is emptied, another one isbought, and the comb is removed from the empty bottle and attached tothe full one. After the comb has been used it is not necessary to emptyit, as when the bottle is set down upright the comb will drain into it.Air to replace the liquid used may be admitted at any time by pressingin one of the plugs when the bottle is upright. A washer is preferablyplaced on the bottle-neck, as shown, to prevent liquid leaking from thecollar.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In apparatus of the class described acomb comprising ahollow body with an opening therein; hollow taperingteeth connected therewith, each having an aperture in its point;tapering plugs adapted to close the said teeth at their points and toproject through the apertures in the same; and springs adapted normallyto cause the said plugs to close the apertures, substantially asdescribed.

2. In apparatus of the class described a comb comprising a hollow bodywith an opening at one end; hollow tapering teeth connected therewith,each having an aperture in its point; tapering plugs adapted to closethe said teeth and to project through the apertures in the same; andspring-stems connected to the said plugs, bent round and secured to thebody of the comb adjacent to the said opening, substantially asdescribed.

3. In apparatus of the class described a comb comprising a hollow body,with an opening at one end; hollow tapering teeth connected therewith,each having an aperture in its point; tapering plugs adapted to closethe said teeth at their points and to project through the apertures ofthe same; and springstems integrally connected to the said plugs, bentround and secured to the body of the comb adjacent to the said opening,substantially as described.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, January 13, 1903.

JOHN B. OHIGGINS.

In presence of- J. EDW. MAYBEE, A. J. CoLBoURNE.

